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Local and systemic antibody response in infants after oral administration of inactivated enteropathogenic E. coli
R Lodinová-Zádníková1, B Korych, K Gajdostíková
1Institute for Care of Mother and Child, Prague.
Insights
Infants under one month produced IgM and IgA antibodies in the gut after an E. coli vaccine. Older infants (2-7 months) primarily showed IgA responses in the gut, with serum antibody levels unchanged in both groups.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains O111 and O55 are significant causes of infant gastroenteritis.
- Understanding the infant immune response to oral vaccines is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics and formation of antibody isotypes in the intestine and serum of infants following oral administration of inactivated enteropathogenic E. coli strains.
- To compare the immune responses in two infant age groups: up to one month and 2-7 months old.
Main Methods:
- Ten infants were divided into two age groups (up to 1 month and 2-7 months).
- Infants received oral inactivated E. coli strains O111 and O55 (first and booster doses).
- Antibody isotypes (IgM, IgA, IgG) in stool and serum were analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence over 30 days.
Main Results:
- Infants up to one month old produced IgM and IgA antibodies in stool after both vaccine doses.
- Serum IgG antibodies increased within 2-5 days after each dose in younger infants.
- Infants aged 2-7 months predominantly showed an IgA response in stool after vaccination.
- Serum immunoglobulin levels remained unchanged in the older infant group post-vaccination.
Conclusions:
- Age significantly influences the type and location of antibody responses to oral E. coli vaccination in infants.
- Younger infants mount a mixed IgM/IgA response locally, with transient systemic IgG increase.
- Older infants exhibit a more mature IgA-dominant mucosal response without significant systemic changes.
Abstract:
In ten infants divided into two groups (up to one month of age and at 2-7 months of age) the dynamics and formation of different antibody isotypes produced locally in the intestine and in serum after orally administered inactivated enteropathogenic E. coli strains O111 and O55 was followed during 30 d after the first and booster dose by using an indirect immunofluorescence method. Infants up to one month of age produced antibodies of IgM isotype in stool together with the IgA isotype after the first and booster dose of the vaccine against both antigens. Serum IgG antibody increased after 2 d following the first and second dose of antigens and remained higher during 5 d. The infants aged 2-7 months expressed predominantly the IgA isotype response in stool after the first and booster dose of antigens. The serum immunoglobulin levels did not change after oral antigen administration.